What’s even more interesting is that these microbes belong to “previously unknown species.”

If we ever discover life beyond Earth, chances are it will similarly be in the form of microbes hidden deep within the frozen oceans of a distant planet or moon. Jupiter’s moon Europa is a very likely candidate, as is Saturn’s moon Enceladus. Projects are already underway to get a space drill up there and find out.

While this latest discovery is no guarantee that life will always survive in such conditions (not to mention that these microbes were only sealed away for a few thousands years, far less than anything we may find out in the cosmos), it’s still an indication that, if nothing else, it’s possible.